The Lions, who won the coin toss and deferred to start the game, elected to receive the second half kickoff.
On the first drive of the third quarter, they went three-and-out.
On third-and-6, Matthew Stafford threw a screen pass to Golden Tate, who was tackled immediately.
The Lions still lead, 10-3, early in the third quarter.
Halftime: Lions 10, Vikings 3
The Lions, who moved the ball extremely well on their last drive of the first half, got a touchdown in the closing seconds on a 3-yard pass from Matthew Stafford to Anquan Boldin.